New Zealand: A Beautiful Haven for World Class Healthcare.
With its stunning landscapes, awesome forests and spectacular coastlines, it's no wonder more and more people are choosing to visit New Zealand. As well as being a haven for relaxation with its wonderful scenery and pleasant climate, there are also plenty of outdoor activities for thrill seekers. It may be a little further afield, but New Zealand really does offer something for everyone and with its comprehensive medical system and rich heritage of producing world class doctors, New Zealand is seeing its popularity as a Medical Tourism destination grow and grow! It may be the world's youngest country but it offers world class, sophisticated Healthcare.
Why Choose New Zealand for travel and Treatment?
New Zealand boasts a dynamic and diverse culture and the locals pride themselves on their friendliness and easy going nature. New Zealand is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on earth including rugged mountains, gorgeous beaches and even volcanoes! There is a New Zealand experience for everyone, whether you wish to unwind on the East Coast's white sand beaches, explore one of the 14 National Parks or relax by Auckland's pretty harbour and in New Zealand, you are never more than 2 hours from a beach! It's no surprise that this welcoming attitude and the beautiful surroundings coupled with international level medical care make New Zealand a very attractive destination for Medical Tourists. The cost of Medical Care is significantly cheaper in New Zealand than in the UK or USA, it has a strong developed economy and the cultural similarities with Europe and North America make it an easy destination for the Western traveller. New Zealand is one of the safest countries in the world and only a 12 hour direct flight from the west Coast of North America.
Medical Facilities in New Zealand
Although a relative newcomer in the medical tourism industry new Zealand is not a newcomer to providing high quality healthcare treatment at a significantly lower cost than the US or UK. The quality of medical care offered in New Zealand is equal, if not greater, to medical care in Europe or in the US. It is estimated that currently about 1000 foreign visitors a year choose to have medical treatments in New Zealand due to the savings made. This is especially the case for US residents. Heart bypass surgery costs $USD 125,000 in the US against $USD 25,000 in New Zealand. A hip replacement operation costs around $USD 50,000 compared with $USD 15,000 in New Zealand. It is considered that, on average, New Zealand's surgical costs are around 15 to 20% of the same surgical procedure in the USA. It is estimated that the number of overseas patients choosing to have surgery in New Zealand is expected to reach 20,000 by 2020.
New Zealand Hospitals and International Standards of Care
There are two medical systems in New Zealand. There is a publicly funded system which is essentially free to residents of New Zealand and a private system for patients who are willing to pay and do not wish to wait. The New Zealand Government is the biggest funder of Healthcare. Because of these two systems, the private hospitals in New Zealand do not have to cope with trauma patients and those with chronic conditions as these are handled by the public system. As a result the running costs for a private hospital are far less than in the US. Private hospitals pride themselves on personalized care and are at their all time best because of this. Many of New Zealand's private hospitals are internationally accredited and have state of the art facilities and equipment as well as offering an integrated package of care. The primary spoken language in New Zealand is English and all hospitals have English speaking staff.
Convalescence in New Zealand
After treatment, patients are perfectly placed to relax, recuperate and enjoy the beauty of New Zealand. In the cities and their surroundings, there are numerous natural spas to take advantage of and patients can enjoy New Zealand's many cultural offerings, venture to a nearby picturesque beach or just sit at a cafe and watch the world go by. Treatment in New Zealand regularly includes accommodation as well as consultations, the treatment itself, nursing and aftercare. Many private hospitals provide hotel-style rooms for medical tourists and uphold national standards to make sure foreign patients receive no compromise in quality. New Zealand also offers a wide choice of hotels for every budget, many with both pools and stunning views as well as having a range of recovery centers throughout the country.
New Zealand Travel Information
Visitors coming to New Zealand for Medical Treatment or a consultation must apply for a visitor's visa before entering the country. This visa has a maximum stay of 6 months and all Medical Travellers must hold one, whether or not they are from a visa-waiver country. The cost of living is lower than in most other Western countries and, generally, the further south you go, the cheaper it is. There is a wide variety of accommodation available, from the smaller budget hotels to the more expensive luxury options. New Zealand's currency is the New Zealand Dollar and electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts with outlets accepting only flat three or two-pin plugs so travellers will need an adapter for any electrical items.
New Zealand Quick Facts
| Location:
|
| Languages |
English |
| Population |
4,393,500 |
| Currency |
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) |
| Capital |
Wellington |
| Major Airports |
Auckland (AUK), Wellington (WLG),
Christchurch (CHC),
Dunedin (DUD),
Hamilton (HLZ),
Palmerston North (PMR),
Queenstown (ZQN)
|
| Electricity |
230/240 volts 50 hz |
|